Leigh Farrow, Labour councillor for Moulsecoomb and Bevendean on Brighton and Hove City Council, will announce tonight he is joining UKIP.

Councillor Farrow has been with the Labour Party for more than 25 years - including four in Brighton and Hove. Earlier this year he was deselected to fight for his seat at next year's elections after a party row.

Nigel Carter, head of UKIP Brighton and Hove, told The Argus: "He feels let down by the Labour Party and will now stand for UKIP at the next election."

A statement from the Brighton and Hove Labour group said: "Leigh Farrow was removed as a Labour candidate following repeated complaints from council staff and party colleagues of unacceptable behaviour, not for any political reason.

"If he wishes to seek election in May for UKIP then that is a matter for him, although we would question whether he agrees with UKIP policy of removing rights in the workplace, such as sick leave, health and safety, maternity leave, paid holidays and more, as well as their support for the privatisation of the NHS.

"His defection to UKIP is somewhat surprising as until now Leigh Farrow has been on record as describing UKIP as 'racist', 'xenophobic', 'further to the right than the Tory Party' and "acting like the BNP."

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